Fritz: A Mushroom Story – written and illustrated by Kelsey Garrity-RileyTundra Books, 2026 Fritz is a quiet chanterelle mushroom. He likes hats, which is a good thing, because he always appears to be wearing one, as well as a red cardigan. Fritz is quiet and introverted. Books for children about people who prefer solitude or quiet … Continue reading Mycological
Author: Emily Schneider
Emily Schneider is a writer and educator living in New York City. She has published on children's literature, feminism, and politics in Tablet, The Foward, Jewcy, and Family Reading at The Horn Book. She is a regular reviewer for The Jewish Book Council.
Cats Scratch If You Hold Them Too Tight
Arthur’s Cat – written and illustrated by Johan Leynaud, translated from the French by Sarah ArdizzoneEerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2026 Arthur is a little boy who loves his cat, Zeffo. They are inseparable. The problem is that boy and cat have somewhat different definitions of love. Arthur would like to hold Zeffo tightly and … Continue reading Cats Scratch If You Hold Them Too Tight
Supremely Adorable and True to Life
Bean Supreme (Tiny Bean’s Big Adventures, Book #2) – written and illustrated by Stephanie GraeginTundra Books, 2026 While the relationship between a grandparent and grandchild is certainly a promising subject for a children’s book, not every book is this category achieves both realism and imaginative innovation at the same level. Bean Supreme is the second … Continue reading Supremely Adorable and True to Life
Holding, Eating, Caring
Chopsticks Are – written by Chloe Ito Ward, illustrated by Lynn ScurfieldChronicle Books, 2026 Chopsticks Are is a comprehensive, and incredibly beautiful, look at a ubiquitous utensil used for eating in many Asian cultures. The endpapers feature an array of different chopsticks tall enough to extend from the top to the bottom of the page, … Continue reading Holding, Eating, Caring
Not an Open and Shut Case
A Door Is to Open – written by Kyo Maclear, illustrated by Julie MorstadTundra Books, 2026 They are brilliant individually, but each book by Kyo Maclear and Julie Morstad together is an open door. (see my reviews here and here and here). There are metaphors and there are images. They work together unobtrusively, inviting children … Continue reading Not an Open and Shut Case
Not Here to Cause Trouble
Sidekicks: Thick as Thieves – written and illustrated by Dan SantatScholastic Graphix, 2026 Sidekicks: Thick as Thieves, is the second volume of Dan Santat’s Sidekicks series. This graphic novel combines frenetic action with thoughtful dialogue about some serious questions. Among these are the nature of families, the difficulty of making tough decisions, and accepting that … Continue reading Not Here to Cause Trouble
Fairies Have Problems, Too
Tiny Jenny: Little Fairy, Big Trouble – written and illustrated by Briony May SmithAnne Schwartz Books, 2024 Briony May Smith's Jenny is a changeling, a fairy hatched from a wren’s egg, much to the family’s surprise. She has no wings, sort of like the reverse of Horton’s long-anticipated newborn in Horton Hatches the Egg. Like … Continue reading Fairies Have Problems, Too
Up to the Highest Heights
A Year of Kites: Traditions Around the World – written by Monisha Bajaj, illustrated by Amber RenBloomsbury Children’s Books, 2026 A Year of Kites is a wonderful picture book whose unusual subject matter is matched by its quality. Children, and adults, find the ideas of kites appealing. They start as paper, string, and other materials. … Continue reading Up to the Highest Heights
The Show Must Go On
Sparkles, No Sparkles – written and illustrated by Shannon McNeillTundra Books, 2024 Sparkles, No Sparkles has the same underlying premise as Shannon McNeill’s earlier picture book, Wheels, No Wheels. Children categorize objects and experiences somewhat differently than adults do. While wheels are functional, sparkles are decorative. But you may need them to put on a … Continue reading The Show Must Go On
Not a Hutch or Burrow
Welcome to the Rabbit Residence: A Seek-and-Find Story – written and illustrated by Haluka NohanaChronicle Books, 2026 Following her earlier book about animals having fun while living in detailed habitats, author and artist Haluka Nohana has now invited readers to a rabbit residence full of activity. Even early in the morning, there’s a lot going … Continue reading Not a Hutch or Burrow